Rodman Suspended For 11 Games--at Least

January 18, 1997|By Terry Armour, Tribune Staff Writer.

The NBA has kicked back.

The league on Friday handed out its harshest punishment in 20 years when it suspended Bulls forward Dennis Rodman for at least 11 games and fined him $25,000 for kicking cameraman Eugene Amos Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

That's not the end of the NBA's disciplinary action. In an unprecedented move, the league also will require Rodman to meet with a therapist of its choosing before deciding when Rodman will play again.

In other words, he could miss even more games if NBA officials rule he isn't mentally fit to play.

"Until Dennis can provide meaningful assurances that he will conform his conduct on the playing court to acceptable standards--including not placing others at physical risk--his suspension will continue," NBA Commissioner David Stern said.

Rodman, whose salary works out to $9 million, including deferred payments, stands to lose more than $1 million in salary. That includes monetary incentives for number of games played.

Rodman and the National Basketball Players Association have talked about filing an appeal against the league's ruling.

But that wouldn't be set in motion until Monday at the earliest. Rodman will already have missed two games by then, including Sunday's matchup between the Bulls and Rockets in Houston.

Rodman has other things to worry about. Amos, 48, and his lawyer, Gail Pearson, met Friday with Minneapolis police and, according to Sgt. Pete Jackson, who is investigating the case, a fifth-degree misdemeanor assault charge may be brought against Rodman as early as next week.

Rodman could be forced to return to Minneapolis to appear in court. If convicted, the maximum penalty is a 90-day jail sentence, a $700 fine or both.

Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause discussed the matter with Rodman after the league's ruling Friday.

"Dennis was contrite and felt bad," he said. "We talked to the league (on Thursday), and Dennis knew he screwed up and there's a penalty that comes with screwing up. We don't condone what Dennis did, and the rest of it is a matter between Dennis and the league. The league stated their feelings on it, and we have to live with it."

Rodman's suspension isn't the harshest in league history, but it isn't far behind. The NBA suspended Los Angeles Lakers forward Kermit Washington 26 games in 1977 for punching Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich and breaking his jaw. Washington received the maximum fine of $10,000 at that time.

Two years ago, Vernon Maxwell, then with the Houston Rockets, was suspended 10 games and fined $20,000 for going into the stands and punching a fan.

And last season, Rodman was fined $20,000 and suspended six games for head-butting referee Ted Bernhardt. The Bulls suspended Rodman for two games last month for an obscenity-laced postgame tirade captured on live television.

His agent, Dwight Manley, said Rodman likely will file the appeal. But unlike in baseball, where a player can continue playing during the appeal, Rodman still would have to miss some games while the appeal goes through the league office.

A player must file a written grievance to the commissioner's office within 20 days of the announcement of a suspension. The commissioner then has 10 days to designate a time and place for a hearing. The commissioner must then submit a written decision as soon as possible.

Manley stressed that while Rodman's actions warranted some form of punishment, he thought the league sent a stronger message to Rodman simply because he is Rodman.

"In a court of law, you're innocent until proven guilty," Manley said. "But in the NBA, you're guilty until proven innocent. It's too bad the NBA has passed judgment like this. Dennis is willing to accept the punishment, but it seems the punishment is also for past occurrences. To punish him randomly for just being Dennis is just not right."

Manley also was concerned that Rodman must seek counseling before being reinstated. He was suspended indefinitely at the start of his final season with the San Antonio Spurs. The suspension lingered because Rodman refused counseling suggested by the Spurs.

"If it's a medical issue, why punish Dennis at all?" Manley said. "It's the team's responsibility to take care of and decide if a player is mentally fit to play. Dennis is mentally fit to play basketball."

Rodman's latest controversy erupted Wednesday when he tripped over a photographer while battling Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett for a rebound. Out of frustration, Rodman kicked Amos, who was not involved in the tripping. Tapes showed Rodman kicked Amos in the back of the thigh. Amos was rushed to a local hospital after complaining of pain in his groin, back and neck. Amos was later released.

Amos met the media at the Hennepin County Government Center Friday in Minneapolis after giving his statement to Minneapolis police. He declined to say if he would seek recourse in civil court.

"Why would he do this--why?" Amos asked. "To kick somebody in the groin . . . I don't know what his motive was."